Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 8: Alarmed by the deaths of over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to contaminated cough syrup, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has urged the Union Health Ministry to launch a high-level probe. The doctors’ body has called for the immediate formation of a central committee to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The syrup in question — Coldrif, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram — has come under intense scrutiny following its alleged link to the tragic deaths.

FAIMA said the incident has raised “serious concerns” over drug safety in India, especially in the paediatric segment. It questioned the efficacy of existing mechanisms for quality control, monitoring, and distribution of medicines intended for children.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAIMA demanded that the Health Ministry set up a multidisciplinary investigation panel comprising medical experts, pharmacologists, and representatives from various states. The panel, it said, must investigate every phase — from manufacturing and quality testing to distribution — to ensure impartiality and transparency.

The doctors' body also proposed random inspections and nationwide testing of paediatric medicines and syrups to verify their adherence to established safety standards. The findings, it said, should be compiled into a comprehensive report with enforceable recommendations.

Emphasising the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, FAIMA urged better coordination between State Drug Control Authorities and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to ensure consistent oversight across India.

It also voiced concern over the sale of non-over-the-counter (non-OTC) medicines without valid prescriptions, urging strict measures to curb such practices and crack down on unqualified practitioners.

Responding to the arrest of a doctor in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly prescribing the faulty cough syrup, FAIMA demanded his immediate release, stating that medical professionals should not be held accountable until a full investigation is concluded. The group stressed that accountability must lie with the manufacturer if the product is confirmed to be spurious.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also condemned the arrest, calling it an “indiscriminate action” and pointing out that this was a textbook case of spurious drug distribution as defined under Section 17 B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Both associations have appealed for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies and to protect ethical medical practitioners from unjustified legal action.